Do security cameras have to be visible? Or should it be hidden? And which is the best? Many people experience this dilemma before buying a security camera kit.
Nowadays, Security cameras are an essential part of keeping your home and business safe, but the important thing is how to protect and keep your camera away from burglars and thieves.
Some people think security cameras should be visible so potential burglars will see them and decide not to break in.
In contrast, others believe the cameras should be hidden away in a corner or under a shelf to record the actions of anyone near it.
Both visible and hidden surveillance cameras have specific features and finding out what these features are could make buying decisions much easier.
In this blog post, we discuss both sides of the argument and answer the question, “do security cameras have to be Visible or Hidden?”.
Do Security Cameras Have To Be Visible? And Why?
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether security cameras should be visible or not. It depends on the specific situation and what you are trying to achieve.
But there is an important note that you should consider when making this decision.
Before you start thinking about “Do security cameras have to be visible or not?” think about the purpose of the security cameras. Are they being used to deter crime and protect your property, or are they used for surveillance and monitoring?
In general, If the cameras are meant to be a deterrent, they should be visible so that criminals know they are being watched. On the other hand, if you want to monitor your employees or keep track of inventory, the cameras should remain hidden so that no one feels like they are constantly under surveillance.
Now, let’s know the advantages and disadvantages before you make your decision about do security cameras have to be visible or hidden?
What are the Benefits of Visible Security Cameras?
One of the benefits of visible security cameras is that they help minimize crime rates. According to studies, criminals are less likely to target a property if visible security cameras are installed.
This is because they know that there is a good chance that they will be caught on camera and arrested.
Moreover, Visible security cameras can also help to provide evidence if an incident does occur, as high-resolution systems feature most modern security cameras.
The old CCTV analog surveillance cameras record videos in low quality but now it’s different, there are a lot of high-resolution cameras that record video in 4K and pack lots of detail, so with one cam you can identify people’s faces and discern vehicle plate numbers.
It is very helpful, especially if you want to make an insurance claim following an incident at your property.
Overall, there are many benefits of using visible security cameras. They can help improve safety, deter crime, and provide evidence if an incident occurs. If you are looking for a way to enhance the security of your property, then installing visible security cameras is a great option.
The Disadvantages of Visible Security Cameras
The main disadvantage of visible security cameras is that people feel uncomfortable when their privacy is invaded when an obvious security camera is present in public spaces.
They also tend to affect property values as people believe that an area with security cameras is a high-crime area.
Another disadvantage of visible cameras is that criminals become aware of the cameras’ location and may find a way to disable or destroy them.
Furthermore, a lot of criminals have a piece of knowledge about security cameras and they can find out the camera range and do their robbery outside the camera’s scope.
Additionally, harsh cold environments(Heavy rain, snow, ice, condensation, fog, and flying debris in high winds) may affect the visible outdoor security cameras and cause the device to freeze or completely fail or impact the camera’s lens.
Also, the rapid temperature change can adversely affect the camera’s electronic parts.
What are the Benefits of Hidden Security Cameras?
Hidden security cameras have several valuable benefits that many people are unaware of. They are helpful if you need to watch over a housecleaner, a babysitter, or your kids while you are not home.
Moreover, if any problems or errors have been discovered in your business, you can determine them by checking the camera footage. Like you can easily detect it as no one knows about the cameras except you.
One more advantage of the hidden security camera is its power usage. By their design and structure, hidden security cameras are small in size with relatively smaller electronics.
They generally need less power than their visible alternatives. They can be beneficial if the property being monitored includes complex architecture or is large,
In the event that a burglar does break into your property or home, a hidden surveillance camera will also offer much more detail about the criminal.
The Disadvantages of Hidden Security Cameras
The key disadvantage of a hidden surveillance camera is the limited field of view. Hidden cameras are by their design not as functional as their visible alternatives.
They could be easily blocked, by accident or intentionally, and almost always fixed, meaning they can’t be moved or redirected. Their size also usually reduces footage quality to just adequate.
Another disadvantage is that their range is unsatisfactory, and they can’t have a good monitoring picture. They are set up in hidden places, so the curtains, cupboards, shelves, and furniture might prevent capturing the view correctly.
In some cases, the theft is being done, and the camera doesn’t record because of any hindrance.
It is recommended that you tell your employees and people about the hidden security cameras as they have to know for what causes they are being monitored privately. It is suggested for the case when the problems are vandalism and workplace theft.
Should security cameras be visible or hidden?
After knowing about the pros and cons of visible and hidden security cameras, what do you think, do security cameras have to be visible or hidden?
The best option is to set up both visible and hidden security cameras so you can take advantage of their advantages. Besides, they will reduce or prevent any potential thieves, but you will also capture any criminal breaking inside your home or property. Many businesses and homes incorporate visible and hidden security cameras to create an efficient monitoring system.
In addition, they install covert security cameras indoors to not make family members and friends feel uncomfortable and install visible security cameras outdoors to act as a deterrent for thieves.
Summary
Lastly, after looking at and reading this detailed blog post about whether security cameras have to be visible or not? You should make your perfect decision.
Nowadays, Security cameras are common whether in private or public, and it’s almost difficult to escape from the lens of a security camera.
A growing trend in the surveillance industry is the rise of hidden cameras while some customers prefer visible ones. But in general, each type of camera has its unique pros & cons
Visible cameras offer deterrent value as much or more than recording value, They might cause less dedicated or less prepared thieves to think twice.
In addition, they might encourage routes or actions that benefit the property’s owner (e.g., walking around the visible security camera range can force the criminal into the range of another hidden camera).
However, Hidden security cameras offer better recording value in that they could be more survivable than visible cameras. Nevertheless, they usually have more restricted fields of view, and they don’t offer any deterrence.
When you build your security system, the best decision is to install both types and take the advantages each type provides to make sure you have a complete monitoring system for your home or business.
Resources: casasecurity, danners
